Executive Summary
- The Third Annual Operation Breakthrough will be held at CNU’s Freeman Center on Feb. 12.
- The event features the Red Sand Project, using red sand to symbolize victims of trafficking.
- Host partners include the Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue and FreeKind.
- Attendees can connect with support groups like the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force.
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — The Office of the Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue, in collaboration with Christopher Newport University (CNU), is set to host the Third Annual Operation Breakthrough, a public awareness event aimed at combating human trafficking. The event is scheduled to take place on February 12 from noon to 1 p.m. inside the Freeman Center.
Central to the gathering is the Red Sand Project, an interactive public art installation. According to organizers, the initiative involves placing red sand into sidewalk cracks, a symbolic gesture representing individuals who fall through the cracks of society due to vulnerability and exploitation. The installation is planned for the exterior of the Freeman Center, though weather conditions will ultimately determine the specific location.
Participants will have the opportunity to engage with various community organizations dedicated to prevention, advocacy, and survivor support. Participating groups include FreeKind, Fear 2 Freedom, Survivor Ventures, Just Free International, the Virginia Coalition Against Human Trafficking (VCAHT), and the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force.
Newport News Commissioner of the Revenue Tiffany Boyle emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative in a statement regarding the event. "Operation Breakthrough is about awareness, action, and community responsibility," Boyle said. "By coming together through strong partnerships with higher education institutions and community organizations, we are creating space for education, dialogue, and meaningful connection around the issue of human trafficking."
Community Advocacy Impact
The continuation of Operation Breakthrough into its third year highlights a sustained municipal focus on human trafficking within the Hampton Roads region. By integrating public art with direct access to support networks like the Hampton Roads Human Trafficking Task Force, local officials aim to bridge the gap between abstract awareness and tangible resources. This partnership between city governance and higher education institutions reflects a broader strategy of utilizing campus venues to mobilize community engagement against systemic exploitation.
